Genesis 4:4
while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
while Abel brought
The name "Abel" in Hebrew is "Hevel," which means "breath" or "vapor," symbolizing the transient nature of life. Abel's action of bringing an offering signifies a deliberate act of worship and devotion. In the context of ancient Near Eastern practices, offerings were a common way to honor deities, and Abel's choice to bring an offering reflects his acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision.

the best portions
The phrase "best portions" indicates Abel's intentionality in selecting the finest parts of his flock for God. This act of giving the best signifies a heart of reverence and gratitude. In Hebrew, the word for "best" can also imply "fat," which was considered the richest and most desirable part of the animal. Abel's offering is a demonstration of giving God the first and finest, a principle that resonates throughout Scripture as a model for sacrificial giving.

of the firstborn
The term "firstborn" holds significant theological weight in the Bible. In Hebrew culture, the firstborn was often seen as the most important, representing strength and the beginning of one's offspring. Offering the firstborn of his flock, Abel acknowledges God's ultimate ownership and lordship over all creation. This act prefigures the later biblical theme of the firstborn's significance, culminating in Jesus Christ, the "firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15).

of his flock
Abel's offering from "his flock" indicates a personal sacrifice. The flock represents Abel's livelihood and wealth, and by offering from it, he demonstrates trust in God's provision. This act of faith is a precursor to the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law, where offerings from one's possessions were a means of worship and atonement.

And the LORD looked with favor
The phrase "looked with favor" suggests divine approval and acceptance. In Hebrew, the word for "favor" can also mean "regard" or "respect." God's favorable response to Abel's offering highlights the importance of the heart's posture in worship. It is not merely the act of giving but the attitude behind it that pleases God. This divine favor sets a precedent for understanding God's desire for sincere and wholehearted devotion.

on Abel and his offering
The dual focus on "Abel and his offering" underscores the inseparability of the worshiper and the worship. God's acceptance of both Abel and his offering indicates that the integrity and faith of the individual are as crucial as the gift itself. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that God desires a relationship with His people, marked by genuine faith and obedience, rather than mere ritualistic observance. Abel's example serves as an inspiration for believers to offer their lives and resources to God with purity of heart and unwavering faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abel
The second son of Adam and Eve, a shepherd who offered a sacrifice to God from the firstborn of his flock.

2. Cain
Abel's older brother, a farmer who also made an offering to God, but it was not accepted.

3. The LORD
God, who evaluates the offerings of Cain and Abel, showing favor to Abel's offering.

4. The Offering
Abel's offering consisted of the best portions of the firstborn of his flock, indicating a sacrifice of quality and priority.

5. The Event
The act of offering sacrifices to God, which leads to God favoring Abel's offering over Cain's.
Teaching Points
The Heart of Worship
Abel's offering was accepted because it was given with a sincere heart and faith. Our worship and offerings to God should come from a place of genuine devotion and trust.

The Importance of Firstfruits
Abel's choice to offer the firstborn of his flock demonstrates the principle of giving God the first and best of what we have. This principle can be applied to our time, resources, and talents.

God's Favor and Righteousness
God's favor is not arbitrary but is based on righteousness and faith. Abel's example teaches us that living righteously and faithfully leads to God's approval.

The Consequences of Jealousy
The account of Cain and Abel warns against the dangers of jealousy and resentment, which can lead to destructive actions and separation from God.

Faith in Action
Abel's faith was demonstrated through his actions. Our faith should be evident in how we live and what we offer to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Abel's offering teach us about the importance of giving God our best?

2. How can we apply the principle of firstfruits in our daily lives today?

3. In what ways does Abel's faith challenge us to examine the sincerity of our own worship?

4. How can we guard against jealousy and resentment in our relationships, as seen in the account of Cain and Abel?

5. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate our faith through our actions, similar to Abel's example?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 11:4
This verse highlights Abel's faith, which made his offering more acceptable to God than Cain's. It emphasizes the importance of faith in our actions and offerings to God.

1 John 3:12
This passage contrasts Cain's actions with those of Abel, illustrating the difference between righteousness and wickedness.

Leviticus 3:16
This verse discusses the offering of the best portions to God, which aligns with Abel's choice to give the best of his flock.
The Kingdom of GodR.A. Redford Genesis 4:1-8
Antiquity of HusbandryBishop Babington.Genesis 4:1-16
Cain and AbelG. R. Leavitt.Genesis 4:1-16
Cain and AbelGenesis 4:1-16
Cain and AbelEssex RemembrancerGenesis 4:1-16
Cain and AbelM. Dods, D. D.Genesis 4:1-16
Cain and AbelI. Williams, B. D.Genesis 4:1-16
Cain and AbelA. Jukes.Genesis 4:1-16
Domestic LifeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Genesis 4:1-16
Formal Worship an Immense CurseHomilistGenesis 4:1-16
Lessons from the History of CainG. Gilfillan.Genesis 4:1-16
Naming of ChildrenBishop Babington.Genesis 4:1-16
The Best OfferingGenesis 4:1-16
The First Age of the ConflictJ. M. Gibson.Genesis 4:1-16
The First Patriarchal Form of the New DispensationR. S. Candlish, D. D.Genesis 4:1-16
The Religion of Nature, and the Religion of the GospelD. Evans.Genesis 4:1-16
The Story of Cain and AbelD. Rhys Jenkins.Genesis 4:1-16
The True and False Worshipper of GodJ. S. Exell, M. A.Genesis 4:1-16
The Two OfferingsH. Bonar, D. D.Genesis 4:1-16
The Two SacrificesF. D. Maurice, M. A.Genesis 4:1-16
Two Kinds of OfferingsBishop Babington.Genesis 4:1-16
Abel; Or, the Language of SacrificeJ. R. Brown, M. A.Genesis 4:4-5
Abel's SacrificeT. Grantham, B. D.Genesis 4:4-5
Cain and AbelR. Jackson.Genesis 4:4-5
Cain and AbelD. C. Hughes, M. A.Genesis 4:4-5
Cain and AbelJ. C. Gray.Genesis 4:4-5
Cain and AbelJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 4:4-5
Cain and Abel At Their WorshipC. Bradley, M. A.Genesis 4:4-5
God's Expostulation with CainSketches of SermonsGenesis 4:4-5
Natural and Revealed ReligionHomilistGenesis 4:4-5
Of the Deep Hatred Some have Conceived Against Their Own BrethrenN. Wanley.Genesis 4:4-5
One Sin Leads to AnotherEliza Cook.Genesis 4:4-5
Sin Lying At the DoorA. Maclaren, D. D.Genesis 4:4-5
Sin Ready to EnterOld Testament AnecdotesGenesis 4:4-5
Sin, Guilt, and RetributionA. Phelps.Genesis 4:4-5
The Croucher At the DoorS. Cox, D. D.Genesis 4:4-5
The Man Makes the SacrificeGurnall, WilliamGenesis 4:4-5
The Origin of SacrificeW. L. Alexander, D. D.Genesis 4:4-5
The Personal Causes of Human MiseryC. Stovel.Genesis 4:4-5
The Principles of the Divine GovernmentW. D. Horwood.Genesis 4:4-5
The Rejected Offering and the Accepted SacrificeJ. R. Brown, D. D.Genesis 4:4-5
The Superiority of Abel's SacrificeW. Brooks.Genesis 4:4-5
The True Temper of an Accepted OfferingW. Adamson.Genesis 4:4-5
The Two OfferingsR. Jones, B. A.Genesis 4:4-5
Three Experiments and Three FailuresJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 4:4-5
To Those Who are Angry with Their Godly FriendsSpurgeon, Charles HaddonGenesis 4:4-5
Unacceptable OfferingsJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 4:4-5
People
Abel, Adah, Adam, Cain, Enoch, Enos, Enosh, Eve, Irad, Jabal, Jubal, Lamech, Mehujael, Methusael, Naamah, Seth, Tubal, Tubalcain, Zillah
Places
Tigris-Euphrates Region
Topics
Abel, Abel's, Fat, Favor, Female, Firstborn, Firstlings, Flock, Lambs, Offering, Ones, Pleased, Portions, Present, Regard, Respect, Respected, Thereof
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 4:4

     1055   God, grace and mercy
     4017   life, animal and plant
     5688   firstborn
     5858   fat
     7368   grain offering
     7435   sacrifice, in OT
     8625   worship, acceptable attitudes

Genesis 4:1-8

     6155   fall, of Adam and Eve

Genesis 4:2-5

     5929   resentment, against people

Genesis 4:3-5

     5765   attitudes, to people
     7402   offerings

Genesis 4:3-8

     6109   alienation
     8796   persecution, forms of

Genesis 4:3-9

     5004   human race, and sin

Genesis 4:3-16

     5082   Adam, significance

Genesis 4:4-5

     5568   suffering, causes
     5791   anger, human

Genesis 4:4-8

     8765   grudge

Library
What Crouches at the Door
'If thou doest not well, sin croucheth at the door: and unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.'--GENESIS iv. 7 (R. V.). These early narratives clothe great moral and spiritual truths in picturesque forms, through which it is difficult for us to pierce. In the world's childhood God spoke to men as to children, because there were no words then framed which would express what we call abstract conceptions. They had to be shown by pictures. But these early men, simple and childlike
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Parental Duties Considered and Urged.
"And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the Spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed." Some general observations on the importance of education, especially parental education, were made in the preceding discourse. We are now to consider the ways and means by which parents, are to seek a godly seed. Only general directions can here be given. Much will be left to the discretion of those concerned. Some of the principal parental duties are, Dedication of their children
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Cain and Abel. Gen 4:3-8
CAIN and ABEL. Gen 4:3-8 When Adam fell he quickly lost God's image, which he once possessed: See All our nature since could boast In Cain, his first-born Son, expressed! The sacrifice the Lord ordained In type of the Redeemer's blood, Self-righteous reas'ning Cain disdained, And thought his own first-fruits as good. Yet rage and envy filled his mind, When, with a fallen, downcast look, He saw his brother favor find, Who GOD's appointed method took. By Cain's own hand, good Abel died, Because
John Newton—Olney Hymns

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Letter xxxv. From Pope Damasus.
Damasus addresses five questions to Jerome with a request for information concerning them. They are: 1. What is the meaning of the words "Whosoever slayeth Cain vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold"? (Gen. iv. 5.) 2. If God has made all things good, how comes it that He gives charge to Noah concerning unclean animals, and says to Peter, "What God hath cleansed that call not thou common"? (Acts x. 15.) 3. How is Gen. xv. 16, "in the fourth generation they shall come hither again," to be reconciled
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Letter xxxvi. To Pope Damasus.
Jerome's reply to the foregoing. For the second and fourth questions he refers Damasus to the writings of Tertullian, Novatian, and Origen. The remaining three he deals with in detail. Gen. iv. 15, he understands to mean "the slayer of Cain shall complete the sevenfold vengeance which is to be wreaked upon him." Exodus xiii. 18, he proposes to reconcile with Gen. xv. 16, by supposing that in the one place the tribe of Levi is referred to, in the other the tribe of Judah. He suggests, however, that
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

How the Kindly-Disposed and the Envious are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 11.) Differently to be admonished are the kindly-disposed and the envious. For the kindly-disposed are to be admonished so to rejoice in what is good in others as to desire to have the like as their own; so to praise with affection the deeds of their neighbours as also to multiply them by imitation, lest in this stadium of the present life they assist at the contest of others as eager backers, but inert spectators, and remain without a prize after the contest, in that they toiled not
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
To Rechared, King of the Visigoths [82] . Gregory to Rechared, &c. I cannot express in words, most excellent son, how much I am delighted with thy work and thy life. For on hearing of the power of a new miracle in our days, to wit that the whole nation of the Goths has through thy Excellency been brought over from the error of Arian heresy to the firmness of a right faith, one is disposed to exclaim with the prophet, This is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High (Ps. lxxvi. 11 [83]
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
[Sidenote: Analogies between the influences that produced the two Testaments] Very similar influences were at work in producing and shaping both the Old and the New Testaments; only in the history of the older Scriptures still other forces can be distinguished. Moreover, the Old Testament contains a much greater variety of literature. It is also significant that, while some of the New Testament books began to be canonized less than a century after they were written, there is clear evidence that
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
Text: 1 John 3, 13-18. 13 Marvel not, brethren, if the world hateth you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Extracts No. vii.
[In this number the objector gives the whole ground of his objections, and the reasons for his doubts: which he states as follows, viz. "1. Mankind, in all ages of the world, have been, and still are prone to superstition. "2. It cannot be denied, but that a part of mankind at least, have believed, and still are believing in miracles and revelation, which are spurious. "3. The facts on which religion is predicated are unlike every thing of which we have any positive knowledge." Under the first
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation

The Faith of Abraham.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God. By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Earliest Chapters in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: The nature of inspiration] Since the days of the Greek philosophers the subject of inspiration and revelation has been fertile theme for discussion and dispute among scholars and theologians. Many different theories have been advanced, and ultimately abandoned as untenable. In its simplest meaning and use, inspiration describes the personal influence of one individual upon the mind and spirit of another. Thus we often say, "That man inspired me." What we are or do under the influence
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Third Sunday Before Lent
Text: First Corinthians 9, 24-27; 10, 1-5. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others,
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Li. Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect.
^C Luke XI. 37-54. ^c 37 Now as he spake, a Pharisee asketh him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. [The repast to which Jesus was invited was a morning meal, usually eaten between ten and eleven o'clock. The principal meal of the day was eaten in the evening. Jesus dined with all classes, with publicans and Pharisees, with friends and enemies.] 38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first bathed himself before dinner. [The Pharisee marveled at this because
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Epistle xxxix. To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria.
To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria. Gregory to Eulogius, &c. As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country (Prov. xxv. 25). But what can be good news to me, so far as concerns the behoof of holy Church, but to hear of the health and safety of your to me most sweet Holiness, who, from your perception of the light of truth, both illuminate the same Church with the word of preaching, and mould it to a better way by the example of your manners? As often, too, as I recall in
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Adam's Sin
Q-15: WHAT WAS THE SIN WHEREBY OUR FIRST PARENTS FELL FROM THE ESTATE WHEREIN THEY WERE CREATED? A: That sin was eating the forbidden fruit. 'She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband.' Gen 3:3. Here is implied, 1. That our first parents fell from their estate of innocence. 2. The sin by which they fell, was eating the forbidden fruit. I. Our first parents fell from their glorious state of innocence. God made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions.' Eccl
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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